South Alabama erupts for 87 points in romp over Northwestern State

Forgive Northwestern State if they thought their opponent was the Alabama Crimson Tide rather than the South Alabama Jaguars.

That’s because the Demons were pummeled by the Jaguars, 87-10, on Thursday. The game was 51 minutes of playing time with the fourth quarter reduced to a six-minute running clock. It was the first win at South Alabama for coach Major Applewhite.

It was the most points scored by an FBS team since 1991.

Northwestern State was 0-6 in 2023 before its final four games were canceled because the school wanted to attend to the mental health of its players in the wake of the shooting death of safety Ronnie Caldwell.

Coach Brad Laird resigned after the death of the DB.

“I don’t feel I can give my all to these players or this program,” Laird said in a statement released by the university. “Any coach will tell you that their players become like family. So, the loss of Ronnie was like losing a son. I love this program and this university and I know it will persevere and move forward with the competitive spirit that is at the core of our DNA.”

This year, the Demons are 0-3. They have allowed 186 points while scoring 69.

South Alabama scored 80 points in the first three quarters. The Jaguars had 620 yards of total offense, 363 on the ground.